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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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.IMSTIATED 



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CHICAGO : 

T. B. ARNOLD. 

1884. 



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Copyright 
BY GEO. ft. OWEN^ 




THIS BOOK 

IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 

TO YOURSELF, WITH THE HOPE THAT YOU MAY 

PROFIT BY ITS TH<3UOHTFUL PERUSAL. 

AUTHOR. 



COnSTTE^TTS. 



CHAPTER. PAGE. 

I. Satan in the Publishing Business, 11 

II. U. S. Weather Signal Service, . 23 

III. Shipwrecks, 35 



IV. The Eace-Course, 
V. Hypocrisy, . 
VI. Which Way, 
VII. An Alleg<3ry, 
VIII. The Emigrant, . 
IX. The Needle's Eye, 
X. The Ladder, 
XL A Dream. 



45 
53 
.61 
69 
89 
99 
107 
113 



I. 

SATAN IN THE PUBLISHING 
BUSINESS. 



SATAN IN THE PUbLISHING 
BUSINESS. 



|ND the Lord said unto Satan, "Whence 
comest thou ?" 

in 

^"^^ Satan: "From going to and fro in the 

earth, and from walking up and down in it." 

This conversation took place centuries ago, 
and as Satan has been going to and fro in 
the earth ever since, we think he must be 
very deeply interested in some business to 
keep him thus constantly employed. 

No sooner was Mother Eve settled in 
Eden, than she received a call from his Satanic 
majesty, and the results of his first visit to 
mankind as well as of all later ones, show him 



12 TR UTHS ILL U8TRA TE] ). 

to be constantly engaged in doing all the evil 
possible to the human family. 

If possible, let us stop him in his travels, 
and make some inquiries. 

Mr. Devil, will you tell us the most 
efficient means at your command for the ruin 
of mankind? 

Satan: '^Certainly, sir! The distillery, 
and the printing press. 

"With rum I send sorrow and desolation 
yearly to the homes of 600,000 drinkers in 
this country, and bring an average of 80,000 
people young and old annually through the 
gutter to untimely graves. 

" It is the source of four-fifths of all pov- 
erty and crime in countries where it has been 
ntroduced. 

" But, I don't have to handle the business 
myself, as I find plenty of men to take it otf 
my hands for the profits." 

Are they aware of the fearful results of 
this traffic.^ 

Satan: "Certainly ; just as much as myself. 
All around them they see the misery it causes. 



SATAJSr Ijy THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS. 13 

and know as well as I, how it sends thousands 
to perdition; but seem to care little about 
that as long as it pays so well. 

" The art of printing since it has come into 
general use, I find a powerful agency in my work. 

"Indeed, by it I have increased my facili 
ties a hundred fold. 

" At first, by open attacks on Christianity 
through it I met with much opposition, and 
seemed to get the worst of it, but have finally 
hit upon a plan that has been more successful 
than my fondest anticipations. 

''We engaged persons to write fictitious 
stories for us of a sensational character. 

*'They are attractive in style, have thril- 
ling illustrations, and are well calculated to 
captivate those who read them. 

" They contain more or less anti-Christian 
sentiment, but it is so nicely sugar-coated, 
that people take it all in without hesitation, 
and they have become very popular among all 
classes, from the street boy^with his dime novel 
to the lady in her | parlor, | with her more costly 
volume." 



U ThtUTHS ILLUSTRATED, 

Not among professors of religion! Cer- 
tainly they don't spend time in reading this 
sensational trash? 

Satan: "Ha, ha! don't look so startled, 
sir. Thousands of your so-called Christians 
sit up till midnight, laughing and crying by 
turns, over these papers, books, and magazines. 
That's the way I draw their minds off of duties 
in which they would otherwise be engaged." 

But how do you manage to get this kind 
of literature into the hands of this class of 
people ? 

Satan: " Well the best way I ever tried, 
is to get a clergyman to write stories that are 
in themselves harmless, only as they waste the 
time of those who read them, and create an 
appetite for novel reading, which once cre- 
ated is not easily, if ever, satisfied." 

But how can ministers of the gospel, with 
their high and holy calling, be induced to 
write these stories } 

Satan: "An instance of recent date will 
explain that. 

" 1 sent one ol our publishers to call on one 



SATAN IN THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS. 15 

of tlie most popular ministers in the city of 
New York. 

••' The dominie did not take kindly to the 
idea at first, but when our publisher drew from 
his pocket and offered him a large roll of bills, 
with the remark, ' Just think how much good 
it may do,' he extended his hand Tor the bills, 
saying, ' I havn't seen it in that light before, 
and believe I will try it.' " 

Well! well! I see it all now! The most 
of your literature seems to be caculated for 
young people. 

Satan: '' Certainly ; give me them, and you 
may have the old ones, who will soon die off, 
and then I will have the whole crop. 

*' I care little what people teach their chil- 
dren, if they only let me furnish them with read- 
ing matter for their leisure hours." 

Yon must be driving an immense business 
in this line ? 

Satan: "Yes sir; my novels, licentious and 
infidel magazines and papers are on all the 
railroad and steamboat lines, and news-stands, 
and in book-stores throughout the country. 



16 TR UTHS ILL USTBA TED, 

They are so well calculated to inflame the pas- 
sions and corrupt the morals of the youth, 
that you will find the results of their great cir- 
culation, in all brothels, jails, and, insane asy- 
lums. 

'^ By doing so large a business[jmy agents 
make good salaries, while the man who sells 
good books is glad to get a scanty living." 

I judge you meet with very little opposi- 
tion in this } 

Satan: '' True, sir ;lwe have scarcely any, 
less indeed than in any^thing else I have un- 
dertaken." 

Why is this ? 

Satan: " There's where you have me, sir; I 
confess I can't answer that question; but one 
thing is certain, if people don't wake up on 
this point I shall soon have the whole rising 
generation under my influence. But I am 
losing time and must be off. Good;day, sir." 

Reader, is it any wonder i that] the devil him- 
self should be puzzled at the general indiffer- 
ence of community in regard to what their 
children read, and their generally neglecting 



SATAN IN THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS. 17 

to keep their homes supplied with good and 
interesting books and papers for their minds 
(which are ever seeking something new) to feed 
upon ? 

Many good people forget that young peo- 
ple's minds, like their bodies, must and will 
have something upon which to feed, and if 
good, healthy and attractive reading matter is 
not furnished them, they will have something 
else. 

Many parents have found their children on 
the broad road to ruin through the influence 
of pernicious literature they have helped them- 
selves to because not furnished with that 
which would have inculcated principles of vir- 
tue and Christianit}\ Satan has always had 
the reputation of being a notorious liar, but 
the worst of liars sometimes tell the truth. 

Whether he would be as candid as we have 
supposed in the above conversation or not, the 
facts are the same. The devil is in much of 
the literature of the age, though he may be con- 
cealed from view, as was the serpent in a gen- 
tleman's library in India. 



18 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

While taking a book from the shelf he felt a 
slight pain in his finger, like the prick of a pin. 
He thought that a pin had been stuck by some 
careless person in the cover of the book. But 
soon his finger began to swell, and then his 
arm, then his whole body, and in a few days 
he died. It was not a pin among the books, but 
a small and deadly serpent. There are many 
serpents among the books nowadays. They 
nestle in the foliage of some of our most fasci- 
nating literature ; they coil around the flowers 
whose perfume intoxicates the senses. We 
read, we are charmed by the plot of the story, 
by the skill with which the characters are 
sculptured or grouped, by the gorgeousness of 
the word-painting — we hardly feel the pin- 
prick of the evil that is insinuated. But it 
stings and poisons us. When the record of the 
ruined souls is made up, on what multitudes 
will be inscribed: ''Poisoned by the serpents 
amonof the books." 



II. 

THE U. S. WEATHER SIGNAI 
SERVICE. 



THE U. S. WEATHEK SIGNAL 
SERVICE. 

|n 1870, General Albert J. Myer was, by 
act of Congress, charged with the special 
duties of observation, and giving notice 
by telegraph and signals of the approach and 
force of storms on the sea coast and northern 
lakes. Our present '' signal service," as now 
organized, consisting of commissioned officers, 
corporals and privates, having the manage- 
ment of 220 stations, extending ftom the do- 
minion of Canada to the Rio Grande, and from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, is the result. Tel- 
egraphic and mail reports are also received 
from four stations in the West Indies and from 
twenty in Canada. 



24 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

Our illustration gives a view of the U. S. 
Signal Station on the summit of Pike's Peak, 
14,336 feet above sea level, being the highest 
one in the world, though there are others of 
considerable altitude. The force stationed on 
Pike's Peak are for months isolated from the 
rest of the world, having no communication 
except by telegraph. 

At any time of year snow will be seen at 
this altitude, and the winters are severe. 

For months it is impossible for them to 
come down the mountain or for any one to 
reach them, on account of deep snow and 
danger of being overtaken by, and perishing 
in, sudden storms. 

All supplies for these long, dreary months 
must be "packed" up to them during the 
summer on donkeys' backs many miles, over the 
trail now open to the summit. 

Fuel also has to be carried up to them in 
the same manner from the " timber-line," far 
below the summit — a line above which nothing 
ever grows. 

Building, equipping with instruments, and 



THE r. S. WEATHER SIGNAL SERVICE. 25 

maintaining these stations in different parts of 
the country, of course involves considerable 
expense to the Government. 

Each station furnishing telegraphic reports 
is required to send several daily, giving the 
results of observations taken simultaneously 
at all stations, embracing in each case the read- 
ing of the barometer and thermometer; also 
the velocity and direction of the wind, amount 
of rainfall, relative humidity, character, quan- 
tity and movements of the upper and lower 
clouds, and the condition of the weather gen- 
erally. So perfect is the discipline, and so 
trustworthy the working of the force, that re- 
ports from stations in all parts of the continent 
are often concentrated at the central office at 
Washington in the space of forty minutes. 

On this data the daily official forecast on 
which orders are issued for the display of 
cautionary signals, is made, giving with al- 
most absolute precision the weather conditions 
for each State. 

These signals are displayed at the different 
lake and sea-coast stations. 
2 



26 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

A red flag with a black centre displayed by 
day, or a red light shown at night, at Buffalo, 
Norfolk, Sandy Hook, or elsewhere, indi- 
cates a probability of stormy or dangerous 
weather for that particular locality. 

Signal stations located at light-houses and 
life-saving stations directl}" on the coast, have 
froru Washington at all times the latest reports 
of the weather conditions all along the coast, 
and of the sea itself so far as attainable, and are 
able to warn of coming danger all vessels 
coming within view. 

The vessel going to sea with cautionary sig- 
nals flying, simply faces probable storm and 
disaster. 

The United States steamer Huron, in No- 
vember, 1877, ignored the warning signal dis- 
played at Norfolk, and the ship and crew 
caught in the terrible storm foretold by that 
signal, perished at Kitty Hawk. 

When the Huron put out to sea, no cloud 
darkened the horizon and the waters lay undis- 
turbed. 

The captain saw the warning signal at Nor- 



THE r. 8, WEATHER SIGNAL SERVICE. 27 

folk as it floated lazily to the gentle breeze, 
but seeing no signs of storm, probably thought, 
" I'll risk a run down the coast, as I see nothing 
to indicate danger, and my crew know their 
business, and have seen storms before and 
weathered them." 

But the gentle breeze shifted and increased 
to a gale, and the sky became overcast with 
dark clouds. 

The captain finds himself in seas most dan- 
gerous in a storm, and as his orders, shouted 
hurriedly, mingle with the roar of the waves 
and shriek of the wind whistling through the 
rigging, he must think of the warning passed 
so lightly by at Norfolk. But it's now too 
late; the vessel is being driven nearer and 
nearer the reefs, and soon the sea in its fury 
dashes her to fragments, and all on board go 
down to watery graves. 

Friend, you are at sea! Life is a voyage. 
Would you sail safely o'er life's sea ? Heed the 
warning given in God's holy word. 

As the signal servico warns mariners of 
danger, so God, who sees the future, has hung 



28 THUTHS ILLUSTRATED, 

out signals and warnings all along your course, 
warning you, not only of the dangerous rocks 
of profanity, intemperance, infidelity, etc., but 
of the fearful storm of wrath that will surely 
engulf all who persist in navigating those 
waters. 

You may, as did the captain of the Huron, 
take the risks, and pass lightly by all warn- 
ings God in mercy throws across your track. 

But the fact that you will not heed or be- 
lieve in these warnings, will not prevent your 
being overtaken and becoming a helpless wreck 
on eternity's shore. Change your course! In 
the East, as the clouds gather around you, see 
the Star of Bethlehem shining out, a beacon 
light to guide you to the port of Peace. 

" Once on the raging seas I rode, 
*' The storm was loud, the night was dark, 

" The ocean yawned and wildly blowed 
" The winds that toss my foundering bark. 

" Deep horror then my vitals froze ; 

" Death struck, I ceased the tide to stem ; 
" When suddenly a star arose ; 

'* It was the Star of Bethlehem. 



J HE r, S. WEATHER SIGNAL SERVICE, 29 

" It was my guide, my light, my all ; 

" It bade my dark forebodings cease, 
" And thro' the storm and danger's thrall 

**It led me to the port of Peace. 

" Now safely moored, my perils o'er, 

" 111 sing first in night's diadem, 
'* Forever and forever more, 

^^ The Star, the Star of BethlehemP 



III. 

SHIPWRECKS. 



SHIPWRECKS. 

^|Mn the evening of March 25, 1877, a vio- 
^;^ lent storm, with a heavy sea swell, 
'^' reached Cape Henry. 

The following morning it still continued, 
and the sergeant in charge of the life-saving 
station located there, discovered three vessels 
stranded, all within a mile of each other. 

The wreckers at Norfolk were at once noti- 
fied by telegraph ot the disaster, and the facts 
sent to the chief signal oflSce at Washington. 

The "attention" signal was flown for the 
bark that seemed most in danger, but no notice 
was given it. 

Soon after, the main and mizzen masts were 



36 TR UTHS ILL USTRA TED. 

carried away. The life-boat could not reach 
her. Later her name was read by the telescope 
as the ''Pantzer," and the crew of the life- 
saving station succeeded in firing a '' life-line'' 
over her. But singularly enough the crew 
neither recognized the signal kept flying, nor 
hauled in on the line, their only chance of 
rescue. A surf-boat succeeded in boarding 
the other stranded vessels. 

Telegrams were then sent to Baltimore ask- 
ing for additional aid — anchors, cables, tugs, 
etc. — and without great difficulty they were 
saved. In the afternoon the '-Pantzer" 
showed the "answering signal" of the inter- 
national code. 

She was found to be a Norwegian bark, and 
her crew may have thought that on a foreign 
coast they could not ask for help. 

Soon as her signal was answered, the " Pant- 
zer " signaled, '' Send a life-boat." 

The signal station replied by again showing 
the signal, '' Haul on the rope." 

This was swiftly done by the wrecked crew, 
who, through all the danger, seemed not to be 



SHIPWRECKS. 37 

aware of the use of the line which had lain 
across her deck since early in the morning. 

As they kept hauling on the line, nearer and 
nearer through the breakers came a '^ life-car," 
attached to the end of it and also to the shore 
by another line, by which it could be hauled 
back when filled with passengers and shut up 
water tight.* By nine o'clock at night all were 
landed safe on shore. 

Reader, what would you think of a man 
standing on the wreck of the ''Pantzer," as 
the surf drove it on the rocks, and it was go- 
ing to pieces and sinking beneath him, who 
should coolly place his hands in his pockets as 
he looked at the '' life-line " lying within his 
reach, and say, " This plan may work and it 
ma}^ not;" "I don't fully understand the 
workings of this life-saving system they have 
here, and shall not put any confidence in this 
line until I know all about the whole busi- 
ness?" 

And 3'et are not many even more inconsistent 
than this in regard to their eternal salvation ? 



=*^ S^ Frontispiece. 



38 TR UTHS ILL USTRA TEl ). 

The tempest of sin, misery and woe has been 
raging over our heads and its waves dashing 
high around us ever since the fall of man, and 
many are borne away and dashed hopeless 
wrecks on the shores of eternity. 

But, amid the darkness of the future and the 
perils of the present, through the death and 
resurrection of Christ, a line of mercy is thrown 
to us, and the signal is ''waving in the 
breeze " — '' Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and thou shalt be saved.'* 

" Yes, but," says one, '' I don't see how 
Christ's suffering can atone for my sin, and 
there are a great many things in the Bible I 
don't understand." 

And because he can't see and understand all 
of God's plans and reasons for providing this 
way of salvation, and can't cram the whole 
plan of redemption into his little brain, and 
understand it as thoroughly as the God who 
made it, he rejects the part he can see — and 
perishes. 

Had the ''Pantzer's" crew said '' We don't 
understand all about your life saving service; 



SHIPWRECKS, 39 

we don't see how this small line is going to 
save all this crew, amid such breakers, and 
shall not try it until all is explained" how 
many would have been saved ? 

They did not know that a life car was 
attached to the other end of that line, but 
pulled it in as they were told, believing that 
the life saving crew knew their business and if 
directions were obeyed, would some way help 
them safe on shore. 

It was enough for them to know that the life 
line lay within their reach, and having faith 
enough to use it, they were saved. 

So it is enough for us to know that through 
the merits of Christ, we may be saved. When 
the crew of the " Pantzer " were landed safely 
on shore, they could at leasure learn all about 
the life saving service, its origin, number of 
stations, the various means used, etc., etc. 

So if you grasp the gospel line now within 
your reach and obey the signals flung out to 
you in the Bible and improve the light you 
have, j'ou will, when safe on the " Evergreen 
Shore," have all eternity to learn more and more 



40 TM UTHS ILL VSTRA TED. 

about, and sing of the wonders of "'Redeeming 
love." 

As gaily sails the ship aloDg 
The crew engaged in merry song, 
A storm, like lion on its prey 
Swoops down and tears the mast away. 
Soon on a rock mid shrieks and cries 
The vessel wrecks ; no more to rise. 
Mid desperate efforts now to save 
From perishing beneath the wave 
A "life-line" shoots across the wreck 
Thrown from the shore to those on deck. 
Their friends, seeing no other hope 
The signal fly, "Haul in the rope." 
*^ Your plans I do not understand" 
Says one, and scorns the line from land 
By which the rest get safe to shore. 
While doubter sinks mid tempest roar. 

"He drew me out of many waters." — Bible, 



lY. 

THE RACE-COURSE. 



Before us all the heavenly race-course lies, 

Where many start, to win the 2:lorious prize. 

With strong desire some would the prize obtain. 

They labor hard and yet but little gain, 

Ever carrying loads of gold and care, 

They run awhile then give up in despair ; 

But one we see upon the prize intent, 

To gain which, all his energies are bent. 

His every weight being at once cast down. 

He runs the race and wears the victor's crown. 



THE RACE-COURSE. 



|HE Olympic games, celebrated in differ- 
ent parts of Greece, particularly on the 
banks of the river Alphus, near the city 
of Olympir, were considered of so much im- 
portance, that from their first establishment, 
time was reckoned from them as we reckon 
time from the birth of Christ. 

Each Olympiad consisted of four years, and 
events wer^ dated from the 1st, 2d, 3d, or 4th 
year of any particular Olympiad. 

The first one commenced about seven hund- 
red and six years before Christ. 

Boxing, leaping, wrestling, and racing were 
the most prominent features of the Olympiad. 
The running match seems to have excited the 



46 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

greatest interest, and great preparations were 
made for these occasions. 

All candidates must bear a good character, 
live on a particular diet and exercise regularly 
for ten months previous, according to pre- 
scribed rules which were very severe. 

When the grand day arrived, the judge, who 
was appointed, and sworn to deal impartially, 
took his seat at the goal, or end of the race 
course, and held in his hand the crown of silver 
or of laurel to grace the victor's brow before 
the great concourse of people. 

As the candidates for the contest made their 
appearance, divested even of clothing that 
would impede their progress, all eyes were 
fixed upon them, and every heart beat quick. 

At a given signal they started, and were 
watched with intense interest by the assembled 
multitude. 

A great shout announced the victory of one, 
and like a triumphant conqueror, he returned 
in a chariot, wearing the victor's crown and 
everywhere greeted with cheers. 

Christian life is compared to these races by 



THE RACE-COURSE. 47 

the Apostle Paul, Heb. xii. 1, where he says: 
"Let us also, seeing we are compassed about 
with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside 
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily 
beset us, and let us run with patience the race 
that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the 
author and perfecter of our faith, who for the 
joy that was set before him, endured the cross 
despising the shame, and hath sat down at the 
right hand of the throne for God." 
Here we have the rules of the race: 

1. Lay aside every weight. 

2. Run with patience. 

3. Look unto Jesus. 

Far greater inducements are held out to 
those who enter the Christian race than any 
ever offered at the Grecian races. 

1. In the latter, one only could obtain 
the prize, while in the Christian race, all may 
''so run as to obtain." 

2. The Grecian judge might be partial, 
while the Christian has a Righteous Judge, 
waiting to crown him at the end of the race. 

3. At the Olympic giimes, the victor ob- 



48 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

tained only a perishable garland of flowers or 
a crown of silver, and distinction among men ; 
while to the Christian is held out a crown of 
righteousness, and an inheritance^ incorruptible^ 
undefiled and that fadeth not away. 



Y. 

HYPOCRISY. 



HYPOCRISY. 



N this as in all ages men who have within 
P^ them the nature of wolves, are trying 

to pass for innocent sheep. 
Disguised as such they join the flock ot 
Christ, and their real nature is often ascertained 
only when they have torn some of the sheep, 
or by their conduct have thrown the flock 
into a turmoil and brought reproach upon the 
whole. 

The person who joins a Christian church, not 
on account of any sympathy with Christianity; 
but because a cloak of piety worn before men 
may help him into the confidence of the church 
and society generally; thus increasing his 
opportunities fur dishone&ty and fraud, may 



54 TR UTH8 ILL VSTRA TED. 

well be likened to a wolf going into a flock of 
sheep under cover of a sheep skin. 

When the enemies of Christianity can point 
to these ''wolves in sheep's clothing" they will 
talk by the hour about their evil deeds, and 
because they have shown them to be hypocrites, 
seem to think they have proved Christianity 
itself a fraud. 

As well affirm that there can be no genuine 
sheep because they have found a wolf inside of 
a sheep skin. 

Would not the fact of a wolf wearing such 
a garb be proof positive of the existence of 
sheep? Else where did the wolf get his new 
covering } 

Again, there is a great deal of poor money 
afloat in the world, and we are sometimes 
deceived by it ; and yet, when a dollar is offered 
a man he doesn't step back and say, 

" No sir! I don't have any thing more to do 
with money. I have been fooled with counter- 
feits and have come to the conclusion that 
there is no such thing as genuine money." 
You would call such a man a fool; and yet, is 



HYPOCRISY, 55 

that not just as reasonable as to say, Because 
there are so many hypocrites in the world 
there are therefore no genuine Christians and 
no true Christianity ? 

Any one who will stop to think, must see at 
once that if there was no good money, money 
with a value of its own, it would be foolish 
and profitless to counterfeit it. 

The existence of counterfeits is proof of the 
existence of genuine money. Whoever heard 
of counterfeiting anything that had no value } 

So the hypocrite; the counterfeit Christ- 
ian; while the wickedest and most contempt- 
ible of mankind, is a standing proof of the 
existence of a genuine Christianity. 

BE NOT DECEIVED. 



VI. 
WHICH WAY. 



Pictured here, two paths before us lie. 

The one quite broad and pleasing to the eye, 

Is chosen by the deluded throng. 

With pomp, and revelry, they pass along. 

Though often warned of the fata] snare, 

To find at last, its end, in dark dispair. 

The other path, called the narrow way, 

Which leads from earth, up to the realms of day, 

(While strange it seems, yet alas ! 'tis true,) 

Is only traveled by the humble few. 



WHICH WAY. 

HH^N the broad road we see men of pleasure, 
^K reveling as they go. 

m rpj^^ rum-seller and his victim," the 

drunkard, both travel this downward road, 
together with the libertine, gambler, and the 
miser who lugs along his bags of gold. 

Also people of respectability, those who 
hold high positions in society, and are honored 
of men, together with many professed Chris- 
tians, may be seen among the throng. 

But the latter meet with no opposition or 
persecution from those around them, as their 
religion is merely a profession, with only the 
forms of Christianity. 

Their hearts are set on the world and they 



62 TR VTHS ILL VSTRA TED, 

act, dress like, and join in the amusements of 
their companions. 

The world knows, and will love its own, so 
all go on together, these formalists trying to 
think themselves going to heaven in flowery 
paths of ease, while others fight to win the 
prize and wade '' through bloody seas." 

Others have a religion of their own; they 
deal honestly with their fellow men, ignore 
Christ, and hope to gain heaven through the 
merits of their own good deeds, forgetting that 
Christ said: '*I am the door," and also, ^^He 
that climbeth up some other way, the same is 
a thief and a robber." 

They "render to Csesar the things that are 
Caesar's," but forget to "render to God the 
things that are God's." 

There is no repentance, no forgiveness, no 
obedience, hence no salvation. 

Those carrying bags of gold represent the 
worshipers of Mammon. Their hearts are set 
on riches, and they think only of Heaven, when 
contemplating the gates of pearls and its streets 
of gold. 



WHICH WAY, 63 

Could they get into the celestial city and 
there find gates of literal pearls, and streets 
paved with literal gold, they would be so 
busily engaged in carrying off the gates, and 
digging up the pavements, as never to see the 
"Great white throne" or the "river of life that 
flows all through the city of God." 

By looking further down this road that 
opens so pleasantly and invitingly, we see in 
the dim distance, dark clouds arising from 
the gulf to which it leads^ partly obscuring the 
way from view. Not far ahead, however, are 
some who seem to have met with trouble and 
are trying to drown it with drink. Others 
overcome by perplexities and disappointments 
have tired of life and take a short cut through 
suicide gap, to the awful abyss. 

Many by debauchery and riotous living, 
have broken down their constitutions and are 
numbered among those who shall not live out 
half of their days. 

Other travelers further on are hid from view 
h) gathering clouds from beneath. 

But there is a brighter side to the picture. 



64 TRUTHS ILLLSTRATED. 

The narrow way leading up the mountain side, 
though it does not open so flowery and invit- 
ing, is a safe way and leads to a land '' where 
all is peaceful bright and fair." 

In this way we see ''here and there a trav- 
eler/' 

These think worldly pleasures, vanities, 
wealth and honor, not to be compared with 
the pleasures they seek, or with the ''honor 
that comes from above," the enjoyment ot 
which shall be theirs when the earth has passed 
away and its vanities shall be forgotten. 

Leaving the world's vain pleasures, pomp and strife 
True Christians tread the royal path of life. 
They heed not fading wealth and idle toys 
But seek and find at last eternal joys. 

To but few men does the world ever offer 
more than it did to Moses. All the pomp, 
wealth and grandeur of the Egyptian Court; 
then one of the most powerful nations, could be 
enjoyed by him and he could look forward to 
the day when the throne would be his, and he 
could sway the scepter over that mighty king- 
dom, and yet, "by faith" when he came to 



WHICH WAY. 65 

years of understanding, Moses ''chose to suffer 
affliction with the people of &od" rather than 
enjoy the pleasures of sin, which he saw were 
but "for a season." 

People of his day may have called him a 
fool, but where are they now? and what would 
Moses give to-day for all their wealth, and 
grandeur, long since gone forever, as he looks 
over the battlements of the Eternal City, at 
the desolate ruins of Egypt's former greatness ? 

READEK, WHICH WAY? 



YII. 
AN ALLEGORY. 



AN ALLEGORY. 

THE STATE OF SIN. 

HE state of sin covers a large territory 
and includes people of every national- 
ity. The most thickly settled portions 
are in and around Aircastleton, Pride Peaks 
and Rum Hollow. Lifidel City is also said to 
be a large place. 

AIRCASTLETON 

as well as Pride Peaks, is located in a section 
called Worldly Pleasure. 

People who have been in Aircastleton and 
gotten safely out with sound heads, advise 
others not to go there ; as something about the 
atmosphere keeps people in a dazed condition 



70 TR UTHjS ill V8TRA TED, 

of mind, unfitting them for the sterner realities 
of life. The architecture of the town is grand, 
but the buildings, though of the most beauti- 
ful and imposing designs, have very poor 
foundations and often fall with a mighty crash 
in time of storm, and even when the winds of 
adversity blow ver}^ lightly, the builders often 
perishing in the ruins of their half finished 
castles. 

The main attraction of the place is Sensa- 
tion Hall, on 

NOVEL AVENUE, 

leading out of Fiction Park. 

This is one of the most popular avenues in 
the world, and is crowded every day and until 
late at night with pleasure seekers. It leads 
over very rolling ground, has many steep up 
and down grades and abrupt turns, but is 
very broad, and the view ahead is always so 
fascinating that few people ever turn otf of it 
of their own accord. Many are led on and on 
as if bewitched, until they find themselves in 
Murderer's Gulch, Forger's Gap, or Suicide 



AX ALLEGORY. 71 

Hollow, where branches of this great avenue 
are said to end. 

PRIDE PEAKS 

are on an elevated table land extending over 
a considerable part of the state. They consist 
of many cold and barren peaks; indeed the 
climate all through this section is said to be 
very cool. The principal places are Gold City, 
Silverton, Self-admiration, and Self-conceit- 
ville, the two latter laying side by side. 

The inhabitants of this region seem to have 
a scorn for the rest of mankind and a faculty 
of often "looking down on their superiors.'^ 
This is a very aristocratic section and there 
are said to be here two kinds of aristocracy, 
one called aristocracy proper, and the other, 
•'codfish aristocracy," which apes the former. 
People in these parts are noted mostly for 
their fine clothes, swelling on borrowed cap- 
ital, and bragging about their ancestors and 
rich relations. 

One who had seen this country a long time 
ago thought it a dangerous place to live and 



72 TU UTHS ILL USTRA TED, 

said: "Pride [the prevailing passion herej 
goeth before destruction," and "a haughty 
spirit before a fall." A great many since that 
day have found this true. 

BEER GARDEN AND RUM HOLLOW 

lie so near each other and are growing together 
so rapidly that it is expected they will soon be 
incorporated as one town. Both are noted for 
their filth} streets, along the gutters of which 
many of the inhabitants will often (especially 
after some great parade or celebration) be 
seen lying in a drunken stupor. Most of the 
buildings are in a dilapidated condition, having 
more old hats and shawls than glass in the 
windows. 

The people have such a fondness for smoking 
and chewing tobacco that the air is constartly 
filled with the fumes of pipe or cigar, while 
the streets are slimy with the juice of the 
weed. 

Breweries, liquor distilleries and tobacco 
factories are the chief industries here and 
yield the proprietors immense fortunes, ena- 



AX ALLEGORY. 73 

bling them to build the only fine residences in 
the town, while those who have started flour 
or woolen mills have broken down entirely 
and lost all invested. This is because the 
people will have liquor and tobacco if they 
live on a crust of bread and never have a new 
suit of clothes themselves, and their children 
in rags suffer from cold and hunger. 

Of course there are no public schools here; 
and the lights have long ago been stoned out 
of the only church in town. This is not the 
only result of the growth of the liquor business. 
Crime and poverty have increased to such an 
extent, that to pay the cost of so many trials 
in court and build and maintain the required 
number of jails and poor houses, the town has 
been taxed to such an extent that it is bank- 
rupt and much private real estate has been 
sold for taxes. 

The language mostly spoken in Rum Hollow 
is called blasphemy, and is very shocking to 
those not accustomed to it. This is so unin- 
teresting a place that it is a wonder people will 
come here to live. The fact is no one comes 
5 



74 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED, 

here because he likes the looks of the place, or 
chooses it at first sight as a place of residence. 
Most of the inhabitants are from a very tony 
place called 

MODERATE DRINK, 

in the section of Worldly Pleasure. 

It is said that the fine wines and liquors of 
that place create such an appetite for strong 
drink, that three-fourths of the inhabitants 
after staying there a short time, move down to 

TOPERSVILLE, 

where there is a larger supply of the beverage, 
and there they soon forget all about their pride 
of character, give up all ideas of moving in 
good society, and come here to live. Gam- 
bler's Hall is the great place of resort for the 
people of Rum Hollow, as well as Libertine 
Landing, where many of them take night boats 
to Perdition. 

THE CITY OF INFIDELITY, 

capital of Unbelief County, is so named be- 
cause the people here profess not to believe in 
Christianity. Some saj^ they won't believe in 



A.N ALLEGORY, 75 

anything they have not seen unless they have 
seen some one who has seen it, and yet they 
believe they have brains in their own heads, 
though they never have seen them or anyone 
else who has. Others who say they don't be- 
lieve in the religion of the Bible, and will not 
take the testimony of those who enjov it, nor 
" taste and see the riches of his grace " for 
themselves, foolishh^ claim to know as much 
about it as any one, and deny its reality. 

The city claims and seems to have a much 
larger population than close inspection shows. 
Many of the houses are vacant the year 
around, being owned by people who claim to 
be residents of this place, but who never lived 
here, as proved by many a death-bed confes- 
sion. 

Inquiry also reveals the fact that compara- 
tively few people ever die here in this city. 
When taken very sick they hasten out of the 
city, fearing to die there, and confess that 
they belong to the class of people who do re- 
ally believe more in heaven and hell than they 
thought they did. Many of them go to Eo- 



76 TR UTHS ILL USTRA TED. 

pentanceville and Confession Town to die, and 
if they get there timely, die, not only with a 
belief in Christianity, but trusting in its prom- 
ises. All such express great regret at ever 
having been in Infidelity, and exhort their 
friends to keep away from the place. 

A noted resident of this place by the name 
of IngersoU, in an oration at his brother's fu- 
neral, which took place at Infidelity City, said : 
" Life is a narrow vale between the cold and 
barren peaks of two eternities. We strive in 
vain to look beyond the hights ; we cry aloud ; 
and the only answer is the echo of our wail- 
ing cry." This is a fair sample of what the 
people have left to live on who discard Chris- 
tianity. Surely the prodigal son must have had 
more pleasant husks than this to chew ; but it is 
all that can be expected when a supply of the 
bread of life is voluntarily shut off. 

Many Christians have tried to enter this city 
with the ^'glad tidings of great joy," but the 
gates are closed on such parties, and those who 
had discerning eyes could detect the devil 
himself as the gate keeper. 



A]V ALLEGOR Y, 77 

'' We strive in vain to look beyond the 
bights. " Is it any wonder that they " strive 
in vain, " when they have themselves reared 
such high walls of false philosophy and theo- 
ries of men; with all the doubts that could be 
found in the whole country for cap-stones ? 

'' The only answer is the echo of our wail- 
ing cry. " Can a person surrounding himself 
with such high walls expect to hear anything 
but the echo of his own voice.? More than 
this, if they deny the existence of a Saviour, 
who can come to their relief.? 

We are of the opinion that if they would 
come outside of these high walls and look to- 
ward Mt. Calvary, they would see further 
thnn they ever did before; and if they would 
''cry mightily unto the Lord," they would 
hear an answer to their cry and find him a 
''present help." 

Multitudes of people seem to be all ab- 
sorbed with this land of Sin, especially the 
part called Worldly Pleasure. Its advantages 
for theatres, operas, sensational reading mat- 
ter, dancing and other parties, fairs, shows, and 



78 TR UTH8 ILL USTBA TED, 

all kinds of amusements, are not to be ex- 
celled. And yet one of old who had taken in 
the whole bill, said, "Vanity of vanities; all is 
vanity ; " and all find, sooner or later, that 
there is still left an " aching void the world can 
never fill." 

Most of the inhabitants of this country cal- 
culate to leave it at some future day, as they 
have heard of a better land, where "sickness, 
sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no 
more." But disliking to tear themselves away 
from their old associations, pleasures, and sin- 
ful ways of making money ; and not liking the 
appearance of the straight and narrow way 
leading to this better land, on which they can- 
not carry all their worldly pride, pleasures, 
treasures and vanities, keep postponing their 
exit until a death-bed awakens them to a full 
sense of the dangers of delay. 

Many, however, on hearing the good news, 
have taken the narrow way, left the land of 
Sin behind them, and finally, with shouts of 
triumph, entered the land of eternal happiness • 
and many more are on the way. 



AX ALLEGORY, 79 

When Governor Satan found he was thus 
losing so many of his subjects, it put him in a 
bad dilemma for some time, but he finally hit 
upon a plan that has helped him out wonder- 
fiilly and saved him thousands of subjects 
whom he would otherwise have lost. 

His plan was this : Just upon tho borders 
ot Sin State and near Pride Peaks he started a 
kingdom, since called by outsiders, 

FORMALITY KINGDOM. 

Then he found a number of ostensible min- 
isters of the gospel who had not really given 
up the world, and who were not so absorbed 
in trying to save people from the State of 
Sin but that they cared more for the praise of 
men and to make as great a financial success of 
their position as possible. These he easily 
persuaded to teach the people that they could 
be saved just as well without moving so far, 
changing their ways of living so much, or 
making such a fuss about it. They should 
simply join the church, have the forms of re- 
ligion, and they could dress and live like the 



80 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED, 

rest of the world ; that what the Bible said 
about coming out from among them, and being 
" separate," and its teaching on simplicity of 
dress, forbidding the ^' wearing of gold," etc., 
was for people of other generations. These 
men who preach " smooth things " readilj'' find 
multitudes who are well pleased to settle down 
in Formality Kingdom, with this kind of 
Christianity, without any cross, and requir- 
ing no self-denial. 

Thus are fulfilled the words of St. Paul, ^' For 
the time will come when they will not endure 
sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will 
heap to themselves teachers after their own 
lusts, and will turn away their ears from the 
truth and turn aside unto fables." 

The kingdom is really governed by Satan, 
though he finds it policy to let his subjects 
persuade themselves that they are subjects of 
the Most High. 

It is a beautiful country to look upon. The 
highways are broad and well shaded, and the 
buildings are of very pleasing design. 
Churches and institutions of learning are prom- 



AN ALLEGOR Y, 81 

inent among the public buildings, while thea- 
tres, opera houses, and dancing halls are not 
unfrequently seen, and are well attended by 
these formalists. Indeed, part of their church 
service is equal to a second class opera, as they 
have fine instruments, and the singers are hired 
and come over each Sabbath from Sin State 
not so much to aid in the devotions as to draw 
and please the people. When the singing per- 
formed by the few hired sinners in the choir is 
finished, the congregation feel proud that their 
choir have done so well, and the choir sit 
down with great self-satisfaction to flirt on the 
sly or whisper during the service. 

The minister, who occupies the pulpit in 
consideration of a thousand or more per an- 
num, then arises and talks to God about the 
many blessings enjoyed, and more needed; 
tells God what a great and wise being he is, 
what a great country this is, and enlightens 
him about affairs in the political, civil, and 
religious world generally; and winds up by 
saying " Ahmen." Then after another oper- 
atic performance by the choir, he reads his 



82 TR UTHS ILL VSTBA TEl ) 

sermon to the people, taking more pains to 
make well rounded periods, and a display of 
eloquence than to impress his hearers that 
there is a Heaven to gain ?nd a hell to shun; 
and thus a freezing stiffness pervades the whole 
service. Some of the congregation going 
home remark, what an eloquent address the 
''doctor" gave. Others ponder on the polit- 
ical or business question that has absorbed 
their minds all through the performance, but 
not one soul is made to tremble by a view of 
his lost conditiop. 

These churches are dedicated to God, but 
that, like the rest, is only a ceremony which 
King Satan winks at, for he gets them at once 
to sell the seats out or rent them to the high- 
est bidder. 

The Bible they preach frcm and profess to 
follow says: "Say not to the rich man. Sit 
thou here in a good place, and to the poor man, 
Sit here;" but, disregarding this teaching en- 
tirely, they " have respect to him that weareth 
the gay clothing," and those occupy the best 
seats who carry the heaviest purse. Thus 



AjS ALLEGORY, 83 

pride is fostered even by the place occupied in 
the house of worship 1 The money required to 
build one of these costly churches would build 
a dozen comfortable mission churches, and do a 
vast amount of good. Then, to run them in be- 
coming style requires large sums of money, to 
raise which, various means have to be resorted 
to. Christ entered one of these churches in 
Formality Kingdom and overthrew the tables 
of the money changers and drove them out ; 
but they are at it again, and as Christ has not 
been their way since, and is not likely soon to 
be again, they are not intefered with. They 
not only sell the pews to the highest bidder, 
so as to be able to pay the minister a fine sal- 
ary, but have festivals and fairs in the church, 
where they sell refreshments of all kinds, play 
various games, have grab bags, cakes with 
prizes in them (for some one to draw who is 
lucky enough to get the piece in which it hap- 
pens to lie), and various other games of 
chancCj to raise the needed funds. Thus the 
church becomes a place of gambling, merchan- 
dise, and theatrical or dramatic performances. 



84 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

All this is a powerful means of getting sin- 
ners under conviction, not that there is a state 
of grace they have never reached themselves, 
but that they are as good as these formalists ; 
that their gambling is no worse, nor, indeed, 
as bad as the church lotteries, since they do 
not try to throw over it a cloak of religion; 
and that Christianity is a farce after all. 

Thus this new move of Satan not only 
satisfies or lulls the formalist, but as a counter- 
feit of the true church is a stumbling block to 
thousands of candid sinners. 



YIII. 
THE EMIGRANT. 



THE EMIGRANT. 



|X the great western plains and in the 
^ Rocky Mountains, we have often 
watched the canvas covered emigrant 
wagon (called the ''Prairie schooner" ) as it 
slowly moved toward the setting sun. 

Generally several families will be found 
traveling together for company and protec- 
tion making, what is called a '*wagon train." 
At night these are drawn up in a circle, out- 
side of which the teams are turned ^to^feed, 
while camp fires are built inside, and sup- 
per cooked. Perhaps on the back end of 
the wagon may be seen a box, with slats^across 
its front, containing hens, which are let out to 
scratch in the dirt and pick up grasshoppers 
6 



90 TR UTHiS ILL V8TRA TED, 

and crumbs about the camp, until coming 
darkness drives them to their portable coops, 
where they are shut in for their next day's 
ride. 

Cattle are frequently driven along with the 
train, supplying the travelers with milk and 
butter, which is often churned by the wagon 
jolting along the road. 

During the day the women may be s<^en 
sitting on the bed in the wagon engaged in 
sewing or knitting, and children playing about 
or climbing up on tlie seat in front to watch 
or drive the horses. 

Thus they slowly wend their way westward. 

Scenes along the route are at first interesting 
from their novelty, but this wears away and 
monotony takes its place, especially when 
beyond the Missouri River, where those 
mighty and interminable plains roll away in 
the distance, ^ lay after day beyond the reach 
of the eye. Occasionally this monotony may 
be broken by the appearance of a few antelope 
or a herd of buffalo, which are apt to lose 
some of their number to feed the travelers. 



THE E MIGRA XT. 91 

Prairie-dog villages are often passed and it 
is interesting to see the little fellows generally 
in groups of two or three around a hole here 
and there, sitting up on their haunches, their 
fore paws hanging down like a dog taught to 
sit up and beg for food. 

These little brownies (about the size of a 
large squirrel or half grown kitten) look very 
cunning as they thus sit up facing each other 
as if busily engaged in gossip or discussing 
some question of great importance in theology 
or politics. 

Bat on the approach of strangers they get 
down on all fours and scamper off; each one to 
his hole and again sit up and bark at the in- 
truder until he gets within a short distance ot 
them, when, quick as a flash th^y dart down 
head foremost out of sight. 

Occasionally the emigrant comes to a '^dug- 
out'* where some stock herder lives, or to a 
cluster of them at some R. R. station. 

They are made by digging a hole in the 
prairie, like a cellar, the required size of the 
house and from four to six feet deep. Around 



92 TR UTHS ILL VSTRA TED. 

the top of this excavation a sod wall is built 
up about two feet high on the sides and taper- 
ing to a point at t'le ends for the gable, 
leaving room for a dour in one end. On this 
sod wall poles are laid, or boards, if they are 
to be had, and the whole is then covered with 
sods. A window one or two feet in height 
with the sill on a level with the ground out- 
side ; a hole in the peak of the roof with an 
old barrel (minus both heads) or a piece of 
stove pipe for a chimney, makes the residence 
complete. The floors of some of these ''dug- 
outs" are carpeted and walls whitewashed, 
making them look more comfortable than one 
would suppose, and they are said not to be 
unhealthy places of habitation in this dry 
climate. 

Through this dry and barren country, then 
on up steep and wild mountain passes, keeping 
fires at night as a protection against wild 
beasts, and braving danger from savage hands, 
the emigrant plods his weary way hoping to 
enrich himself in the gold mines of the west 
or find a pleasant home in a land of peace aud 



THE EMIGRANT, 93 

plenty, perhaps on the shores of some beautiful 
river or on the great Pacific slope. 

Often while watching these travelers who 
wend their we^ry way westward day after day, 
and week after week, enduring privation and 
braving danger, I have thought, that if to ob- 
tain wealth or an earthly home which at most 
can be enjoyed only for a time, is worth so 
much effort, what sacrifice will not a home in 
Heaven repay, that can be enjoyed forever in 
that land where sickness, sorrow, pain and 
death are unknown. 



''A home in Heaven; what a joyful thought 
-'As the poor man toils on his weary lot ; 
"His heart oppressed, and with anguish driven 
'^From his home below to his home in Heaven. 

*'A home in Heaven, when our pleasures fade 
"And our wealth, and f.ime, in dust are laid 
"And strength decays, and our health is riven ; 
"We are happy still with our home in Heaven. 

"A home in Heaven ! when our friends are fled 
"To the cheerless gloom of the mouldering dead, 
"We wait in hope of the promise given 
" We will meet up there in our home in Heaven. 



94 . TR UTHS ILL USTRA TED, 

"Our home in heaven ! Oh ! the glorious home, 
*'And the Spirit joined with the bride says come. 
*^Come seek his face and your sins forgiven 
"And rejoice in hope of a home in Heaven. 



IX. 

THE NEEDLE'S EYE. 



THE NEEDLE'S EYE. 



J HE gateway was a most importaat point 
in ancient walled cities and generally 
protected by various devices, either 
flanked with towers with loop-holes from which 
asailants might be attacked, or overhung with 
battloments from which missiles could be hurled 
upon besiegers. 

City and castle gates have in all past ages 
been the subjects of great care in construction, 
and now that iheir importance in a military 
point of view is pissing away, they are still o 1 
great interest as architectural wor ks. 

We read of the gate in very ancient tim es 
as the most prominent part of the city. Here , 



100 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED, 

proclamations were often made and kings 
administered justice. 

The Roman and Greek gates were often 
most magnificent in design, and the triumphal 
arches of the Romans are the offspring of their 
city gates. A small gate called the "needle's 
eye" was often made by the side of the main 
gateway. To this Christ referred when he said, 
"It is easier for the camel to go through the eye 
of the needle than for a rich man to enter into the 
kinofdom of God.'' The belated traveler who 
arrived at the city after the great gate had 
been shut for the night could go in through 
this small gate or "needle's eye" himself but his 
camel could not enter without having his 
Joad removed, and then, by stooping down he 
could only just squeeze through. So as it 
was thus possible for the camel to go through 
the needle's eye, it is possible for men of wealth 
to "enter in at the strait gate" into the 
kingdom of God, by holding as stewards the 
property God has trusted them with, instead 
of hoarding it up for the gratification of pride 
and selfishness. 



THE NEEDLE 'S EYE. 101 

But the difficulty lies in their not being 
willing like the camel to get down and unload 
or use their means for good instead of self- 
gratification. 

Probably Christ was led to make use of this 
illustration by seeing many get their eye 
exclusively on and trust entirely in the 
riches of this world, the deceitfulness of which 
drowns so many in perdition. 

!Said one man when speaking on this point 

'4 don't see the danger of riches." 

"Look at me with one eye." said his friend, 
"and say if you see me." 

"Certainly just as plain as I did with both." 

Then taking a silver dollar from his pocket 
and holding it close to the open eye he said 
"now do you see me? " 

^'No." 

"What do you see ? " 

"I see the dollar." 

"Just so," said his friend "you see the 
dollar and that is all you do see." 

Let us beware lest we get the dollar in our 
eye and loose sight of Heaven's gate ; or so load 



102 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

ourselves r.p with earthly treasures as not to 
be able to reach and enter it at last. 



The selfish man absorbed in wordly gain 

Heeds not the tale of iDOverty and pain. 

With silver, and gold, and stocks loaded down, 

Yet on the needy bestows but a frown, 

A spirit, the worst with which man is vexed, 

Fn this world despised, and damned in the next. 



"Say where is thy refuge poor sinner, 

^^And what is thy prospect to-day 

"Why toil for the wealth that will perish, 

"The treasures that will rust and decay. 

"Oh ! think of thy soul that forever, 

"Must live on eternity's shore, 

"When thou in the dust art forgotten, 

"When pleasures can charm thee no more. 

" 'Twill profit thee nothing but fearful the cost 

"To gain the whole world if thy soul should be 

LOST.'' 



X. 

THE LADDER. 



Three men are here upon an ishmd cast, 

Whose shores b}^ ocean waves are crumbling fast» 

One, heedless digs for gold beneath ihe sands; 

Doubting, another near a ladder stands, 

Which, the third, mounting from danger it saves. 

While his companions perish 'neath the weaves. 



THE LADDER. 



JIME like an island of sand in the ocean, 
is surrounded by tlie fathomless and 
boundless sea of eternity, and is rapid- 
ly passing away. 

The three men in our illustration, represent 
thi^ee classes of men. 

One, the miser, thinks only of gold, which 
he strives as constantly and laboriously to ob- 
tain as if in a position to keep it forever. 

So absorbed is he in his groveling employ- 
ment as not to notice that the island is fast 
wearing away and will soon be a thing of the 
past. 

Nor does he stop to look at the ladder let 
down from above and reaching from this island. 



108 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED, 

time, to the gates of the eternal city. Hence, 
he perishes like all those who look only at the 
things of this world. 

The second, Ingersoll like, looks carelessly 
about and takes in the situation ; or thinks he 
does. 

He sees the ladder; but because there is a 
mist between him and the beautiful world 
above, partly obscuring it from view, so he 
cannot clearly see and inventory all Heaven 
before he starts, foolishly concludes there is no 
such place, and because he cannot see the 
top of the ladder, tries to persuade his com- 
panions : 

1st. That in reality there is no ladder, it be- 
ing all a delusion; and 2d. ''That if there is 
reallj a ladder, it apparently has no support at 
the upper end and must be unsafe. 

He looks at the island constantly growing 
-smaller ; then at the vast expanse of water to 
which he can see no shore or bottom. He knows 
the waves will soon roll unobstructed where the 
island now stands; if, indeed, they do not be- 
fore that, sweep himself and companions off its 



A DREAM. 109^ 

face. Yet while scoffing at the means of res- 
cue provided, he shows no other way. 

The third says : ''It is certain death to stay 
where we are," and as there is nothing to loose 
but all to gain by a successful trial, hails with 
joy any means of escape, and ascends the lad- 
der. He starts by faith, being at first able to 
see no further or clearer than the others, but 
as he ascends the ladder of truth step by step, 
his vision grows clearer and the city comes 
nearer. 



UntU safe in the city where night is unknown, 
He sings praises to the King on the great white throne, 
While his former companions on time's distant shore, 
Having fooUshly perished, are thought of no more. 



This ladder is truth; and its structure sublime, 

Has stood throu2:h past ages and must thro' all time, 

The blood of atonement poured forth on the tree. 

Has raised up this ladder for you and for me ; 

'Tis so free of access, all the world may rise, 

To mansions eternal, prepared in the skies. 



XI. 

A DREAM. 



A DREAM. 



^ 



J|S I sat dreaming in my easy chair on a 
I 
I winter's eve, I fancied myself at sea on a 

^* noble ship that plowed her way majes- 
tically onward leaving a foaming wake. 

For some time I walked about deck inter- 
esting myself in the ship and all her parts, as 
well as in the passengers who were of "every 
kindred, tongue and tribe." 

The crew seemed to be all passengers and 
the passengers all crew. 

There were officers to be sure, but every 
one on board seemed to belong to and be 
interested in the vessel, and had their duties 
to do. 



lU TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED, 

I had been at sea but had never seen things 
on this wise before. 

Finally, much puzzled at my surroundings, 
I ventured to ask one of the happy looking 
oompany what grand old weather beaten vessel 
this was. 

"This is the old ship Zion as you see," he 
replied, (at the same time pointing to a flag fly- 
ing at the top mast having on both sides in 
large letters of white, the word Zion ) "and is 
the only safe vessel on these seas." 

"On what waters are we sailing.? " I further 
inquired. 

"We are far out on the sea of time, and 
bound for the port of peace" said my informant. 

"And these.? " said I pointing to the heavy 
guns she carried and which vrere diff'erent in 
construction from any I had ever seen. 

"Those," he replied, "are called the ten 
commandments and sad indeed is the fate of all 
who do not surrender to them." 

The commander I noticed they called the 
""^ Captain of our Salvation^'' and was told this 
was on account of his havinor saved all on board 



A DREAM. 115 

from the 'infidelity" and other sinking ships 
and having carried the vessel safely through 
so many fearful gales. 

On hearing some of them relate their experi- 
ence I concluded the title was well chosen. 

I became much interested in the company 
and was charmed with the music, as they sang 
''We are out on an ocean sailing, To a home 
beyond the tide" and ^^Out on an ocean all 
boundless we ride, Wer'e ho we ward bound, 
homeward bound," etc., etc. 

The time thus slipped rapidly away until 
near sunset, when an apparently disabled vessel 
appeared on our larboard. 

She was rocking sluggishly on the waves 
and seemed to be making little or no headway. 
As we approached I noticed her name Pleasure 
in gay colors on her side. 

Having always heard of the Pleasure as a 
light, gay, and fast sailing vessel, I was much 
sur)»rised to find her in this condition, but soon 
learned that she was constructed so as to be 
able to sail only with the wind, and having no 
steam power was often becalmed. 



11(> TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED, 

On coming up broadside our captain said, 
"I see you are not in seaworthy condition; 
your craft from present appearances will soon 
go under, and as there is appearance of a storm 
we offer you all free passage on our good 
ship." 

To this kind invitation their captain replied, 
''I expect the worms of dissipation have been 
boring in our vessel until they have made her 
quite porous and she is pretty thoroughly 
soaked up, making her sail very slow and with 
some difficulty, but that makes little difference 
with us as we are out just for the sake of the 
voyage and not interested in making any 
particular port. She may also be leaking 
slightly but as we fear no immediate danger 
we desire no one's assistance or interference ; 
the weather is still fine and all on board are 
having a good time and don't care to be dis- 
turbed. 

'•My passengers do not seem to be uneasy, 
and I do not wish them to become alarmed and 
leave my ship. I tell them to enjoy themselves 
while thej^ can. 



A DREAM. 117 

''That there will be time eDOus^h on the 
morrow to arrange for escape should it become 
necessary, and they are all disposed to follow 
my advice. All have heard of your old ship 
Zion and make lots of fun of her and your 
prosy crew. 

"Because they care only for the pleasures of 
the present, they choose to make life's voyage 
with me. We expect the ship will sink some 
time, but I have so many attractions, indulg- 
encies, and amusements on board for them to 
enjoy, that they don't intend to leave until 
the last minute ; and if it should finally happen 
that they tarry too long, and thus sell their 
lives for these, what is that to you." 

Thus saying, the captain, whose name I after- 
wards learned was "Procrastination," turned 
away and fell to ridiculing us to his passengers 
and trying to quiet their fears; meantime the 
music, dancing and revelry went on as if all was 
well. Our captain now ordered every one of us 
to do his best to persuade them to quit the sink- 
ing ship and come on board, which we did with 
varying results. 



118 TRUTHS ILLVSTRATE]) 

One man, sitting near the bow of the boat, 
was so interested in counting his gold that he 
gave no heed to us, as we told him of the con- 
dition of the vessel, the coming storms, and 
the certainty of his being wrecked in the ''gulf 
stream" of death, even should they escape 
present danger. 

A young lady by a large mirror was busily 
engaged in arranging her dress and jewels, and 
admiring her person, but stopped long enough 
to thank us fur our kind anxiety, saying that 
Captain Procrastination assured her when they 
first saw us coming that there would be plenty 
of chances later to take passage with us, should 
necessity arise, as the old ship Zion was always 
hanging around to take passengers from other 
vessels, and at some future day she presumed 
herself and companions, would accept our kind 
invitation and join us. 

In vain we pleaded ''-Now is the accepted 
time;" and "Behold noio is the day of salva- 
tion." 

One group seemed to be in a drunken stupor 
and we failed to arouse them to a sense of their 



A DREAM, WiV 

danger. Some partially aroused, opened their 
eyes just enough to see that they were still 
above water, and were rocked b}^ the easy roll 
of the vessel into a sounder sleep than before. 

One aged man said, ''I have so often refused 
such opportunities that your captain might not 
receive me now." 

Said another, *'I have served on the 'Pleas- 
ure' many years, and spent all my youth and 
vigor here, and it would only be an insult to 
offer him the service of my broken down old 
age ; also, my habits are so thoroughly formed 
and have so strong a hold on me that I should 
find it very difficult to break them up." 

To these we replied, the invitation is to all; 
and, ^'"Whosoever will^ let him come'^ 

Others said, ''Oh, 3^es! we are aware of the 
situation and do not intend to let the opportu- 
nity pass, and shall step on board before you 
leave, but not just yet." 

''But," we still urged, "our ship is about to 
sail." "Oh, never fear !" said one, "we have 
heard o^your captain before; he is too good to 
go off and leave us to perish," 



120 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

Another said he did not care to be thought 
singular and "should not go before the crowd 
did and be laughed at even if he was lost." 

A fatalist leaned against the bulwarks, held 
his cigar leisurely between two fingers and lan- 
guidly puffed a ring of smoke into the air, say- 
ing, "Whatever is to be, will be : and therefore 
human agency is of no avail." 

"If it was foreknown or fore-ordained that I 
am to sink with the ship, it is not in my power 
to avoid doing so; and on the other hand, if 1 
was to be saved, I certainly shall be." He 
then sat down, crc)ssed his legs and resumed 
his cigar, as if it was nothing for him to bother 
himself about. 

I told him that God had made something 
more than a mere machine of man. He made 
man a free moral actor, capable of making his 
own decisions, and that our captain never 
hauled men on board or drove them on like 
live stock, and that any one knew men 
would resent that way of being saved. 

More than that, he could not say "well done" 
to one thus saved against his own will. 



A DREAM. 121 

I left him with these remarks, thinking it 
would take but little " foreknowledge,'* or 
any other kind of knowledge, to tell his 
fate to a certainty, unless he changed his 
views and awoke to a sense of his own respon- 
sibility in the matter. 

Some objected to the means provided for 
reaching onr ship. They said, '' To walk across 
on that bare plank called faith, looked risky." 

We told them, all who had been saved from 
sinking vessels had walked safely over that 
same old plank ; and it was perfectly safe as al 1 
would testify who had tried it. 

" Well said one, '* If you will provide some 
other way or let us provide one to suit ourselves, 
perhaps we may go with you." 

*'Faith in the Captain of our Salvation is the 
only way on board," was the reply. 

''For by grace are ye saved through faith" 
"not by works least any man should boast." 
Ephesians ii., 8, 9. Thus ''the}' all began with 
one accord to make excuses" and from among 
them all only a few embarked with us while we 
sang -'Haste on board, 'tis the captain calling. 



122 TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED. 

we are waiting, we ^^re waiting. Precious souls 
we are bearing onward, joyful to the port of 
peace." The plank was soon drawn in and we 
steamed away leaving to their pleasures and 
revelry those who still (*.hose to "enjoy the 
pleasures of sin for a season.'' Night soon 
came on, the winds arose, and looking far out 
on the horizon behind us, we could see rocket 
after rocket shoot up into the darkness and 
hear the peal of their cannon as they signaled 
in vain for help. Thus they miserably perished, 
the young, the old, the gay and the thought- 
less together. 

Just then one of &od's great lighthouses 
threw a flood of light across our track and 
soon a shout of ''land ahead" went up from all 
on board as we neared ''Beulah" point, round- 
ing which we entered the great bay of ''Saint's 
Rest" and could see the turrets of the Celestial 
City to which we came nearer and nearer, until 
the forms of loved ones gone btfore could be 
seen standing on the ''Evergreen Shore" 
beckoning us on, while notes the sweetest 
mortal ever heard, echoed ae^ainst the battle- 



A DREAM, 



123 



ments of glory and floated out upon the 
deep. 

Qmii^. — Are you on the Zion, and try- 
ing TO PERSUADE OTHERS ON BOARD, OR IS 
YOURS THE SINKING CRAFT? 



"^sSs 



^f^ 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS A I 

029 789 385 3 



